driven by hunger

USAGE SUMMARY

"driven by hunger" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's motivation or actions that are caused by extreme hunger. Here are a few examples: 1. The villagers were driven by hunger to brave the dangerous journey to the neighboring town in search of food. 2. His crimes were driven by hunger and desperation, as he struggled to provide for his family. 3. The refugees were driven by hunger to flee their war-torn country and seek a better life elsewhere. 4. The soldiers were driven by hunger to battle on, despite being exhausted and outnumbered. 5. The young boy's determination was driven by hunger, as he worked tirelessly to save enough money to buy food for his family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Epidemics broke out, and cannibalism-human beings driven by hunger devouring one another-manifested itself.

Yale University

But, Francis added, he knew that the wolf had been driven by hunger.

The New Yorker

They were loosely organised by communists, but mostly driven by hunger.

The Guardian - Books

Driven by hunger, Mia had sought work in a Hindu area during a time of communal rioting.

Independent

Like most of those who have crossed the frontier, they were driven by hunger, not political dissent.

The Guardian

It must have found high ground, waited there as the water rose, then set off again, driven by hunger.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

And when she lurched into the razzle-dazzle histrionics of self-display, she was magnetic but somehow empty, like a woman possessed by an alien spirit, driven by hungers she could not understand and would never be able to sate.

The New York Times

Worldwide greenhouse gas emissions are still rising, driven by a hunger for energy as economies grow.

The Washington Post

It claimed some consumers "are seemingly driven by a hunger to maintain a designer lifestyle on a low-key budget".

The Guardian - Money

The testimonies of such refugees and defectors have been available only since the mid-nineties, when more and more people, driven by extreme hunger, started to flee North Korea.

The New Yorker

I should not have been surprised: Sheila was not only a superb actor but also a passionate, intellectually voracious woman always driven by a hunger to learn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by hunger", ensure the context clearly establishes the hunger as a primary and compelling motivation for the action described.

Common error

Avoid oversimplifying complex situations by attributing all actions solely to hunger. Consider other contributing factors, such as desperation, lack of options, or external pressures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by hunger" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the primary motivator behind someone's actions. Ludwig's examples show it used to explain desperate behaviors in situations of scarcity or hardship.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driven by hunger" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to convey that actions are primarily motivated by a lack of food. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to explain desperate behaviors in contexts like famine or poverty. While its usage is relatively uncommon, it is mostly found in news and media, academic, and scientific sources. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that hunger is indeed the primary motivator and to avoid oversimplifying complex situations where other factors might be at play.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by starvation

Replaces "hunger" with "starvation" to emphasize extreme need.

compelled by famine

Uses "famine" instead of "hunger" suggesting a widespread food shortage.

pushed by food scarcity

Focuses on the lack of available food as the driving force.

actuated by need

Emphasizes the general sense of necessity, broader than just food.

spurred by lack of nourishment

Highlights the absence of adequate nutrition.

prompted by deprivation

Highlights the state of being without essential resources.

driven by nutritional deficiency

Uses a more scientific term to describe the state of lacking essential nutrients.

led by the desire for sustenance

Replaces "hunger" with a more formal expression for obtaining food.

motivated by a craving for food

Replaces the direct need with a strong desire for food.

compelled by emptiness

Metaphorically describes the feeling of hunger as a void that needs filling.

FAQs

How can I use "driven by hunger" in a sentence?

You can use "driven by hunger" to describe actions or behaviors motivated by a lack of food, such as "The refugees were driven by hunger to seek aid in neighboring countries".

What phrases are similar to "driven by hunger"?

Similar phrases include "motivated by starvation", "compelled by famine", or "actuated by need", each emphasizing the compelling nature of the underlying need.

Is it accurate to use "driven by hunger" to describe any kind of strong desire?

While "driven by" can apply to various motivations, "hunger" specifically refers to a need for food. Using it metaphorically requires careful consideration to avoid trivializing genuine food insecurity.

What's the difference between "driven by hunger" and "motivated by ambition"?

"Driven by hunger" refers to actions caused by a basic physical need for food, while "motivated by ambition" implies actions stemming from a desire for achievement or success. One is a survival instinct, the other a personal aspiration.